Eagles 20 - Trabuco Hills 0
MISSION VIEJO, CA., September 8, 1995 – It didn't take the Eagles long to establish some confidence in the season opener. The defense held tight on the opening drive, and the offense went 71 yards in nine plays, capped by Newman's 14-yard scoring run, to get the 1995 season going strong. The Eagles scored all 20 points in the first half, as the defense continued to riddle the Mustangs. The second touchdown was set up by the special teams, which turned a poor punt snap into great field position for the offense. The Eagles recorded three sacks, one fumble recovery, and an interception to add to the Mustang's blues. Newman finished with 100 yards rushing on 13 carries and two touchdowns.
| Santa Margarita | 7 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Trabuco Hills | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SM – Newman 14 run (Zaist kick)
SM – Newman 5 run (Zaist kick)
SM – Collins 1 run kick tailed)
OFFENSIVE LEADERS
Rushing: Newman 13-100, Munoz 7-60, Minna 6-25
Passing: Collins 10-23-0-132
Receiving: Nickels 5-64, O'Connor 3-32
Scoring: Newman 2 TDs, Collins 1 TD, Zaist 2 PATs
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Tackles: Berg 5, Newman 3
Asst. Tackles: Baier 3, Grzecka 3, Zaist 3, Nickels 2
Interceptions: Munoz 1
Other: Baier 1 sack, Berg 1 sack, B. Jackson 1 sack, Levine 1 fumble recovery
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
Santa Margarita blanks Trabuco Hills, spoils Crow's return
MISSION VIEJO, CA., September 8, 1995 – Trabuco Hills introduced a new head coach" Friday night but Santa Margarita's new offense stole the spotlight, leading the Eagles to a season-opening 20-0 victory in front of a capacity crowd of 5,000 at Saddleback College. For the first half at least, Santa Margarita's one-back offense hit on all cylinders, scoring three touchdowns to take a 20-0 advantage.
The Eagles' offense sputtered in the second half, though, as it turned the ball over twice. However, Trabuco Hills failed to cap. italize on the chances, one of which gave the Mustangs the ball at Santa Margarita's 14-yard. Line.
The loss spoiled the return of former Mission Viejo head coach Bill Crow.
The Eagles, who ran an option offense last season and missed the playoffs for the first time in six seasons, employed a balanced attack that resulted in two impressive drives in the first half.
"I liked the first-half production on offense,” said Santa Margarita coach Jim Hartigan, whose team beat Trabuco Hills for the first time in three tries. said: "We threw some different things at them and that's our plan.”
Throwing the ball for the Eagles was Chris Collins, who missed most of last season because of double-knee surgery. The 6-2, 205-pound senior was given plenty of time to throw by his offensive line, completing 10 of 23 attempts for 123 yards and two interceptions. He also ran for a 1-yard score with three minutes left in the first half that finished a 10-play, 63-yard drive.
Eagles running back Billy Newman capped a nine-play, 72yard drive in the first quarter with a 14-yard touchdown run on his first carry that gave Santa Margarita a 7-0 lead. The 5-10, 175-pound junior (83 yards) added a 5-yard run on the Eagles' next possession that made the score 14-0.
Trabuco Hills standout running back/cornerback Bryan Carter left the game with a concussion with 5:54 remaining in the first half.
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: TH - Carter 8-30, Arthur 2-20; SM - Newman 13-83, Munoz 7-58
Passing: TH - Lindow 8-20-1-93; SM - Collins 10-23-2 123
Receiving: TH - Lewis 1-31, Triman 3-25; SM - Nickels 5-65, O'Connor 3-31
By Dan Albano
Saturday, September 9, 1995
The Orange County Register - Sports 15
